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Return to heritageprinting.com.

Heritage Printing & Graphics September 06, 2010


The world of business and finance gets skewered, as Bottom Liners tackles subjects such as foreign takeovers, office policies, getting a raise, and the fast-paced world of Wall Street.
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A wry look at the absurdities of every day life.
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News From
Joe Gass
Idea of
the Week
Marketing Tips
Tech Tips
Uncommon Product
of the Week





Good impressions start with great brochures.


Know When to Fold ‘Em


Safeguard Your Computer


Rethink Your Business Card
A Message From Joe Gass
Something to Consider

Don’t Make a Monkey of Yourself
 
Have you heard the parable about how to catch a monkey? It has been said that people in India used to take coconuts, cut a small hole in them, and put some rice inside. Then they tied the coconuts down securely and waited for a monkey. Because monkeys are known to be greedy and selfish, they would stick their paws into the coconuts to get the rice, and then become trapped because they were unable to fit their clenched fists out of the small hole.


Here’s the way I see it: Sometimes we are so persistent to hold on to things that we create our own traps in life that hold us captive until we “let go.” Next time you have a big project, keep us in mind so you can let go of your worries and spend your time enjoying the more important things in life.

Joe Gass

Banners, Signs, Displays, Decals, POP, Wall & Window Graphics Brochures, Booklets, Publications, Marketing Materials and Direct Mail

5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, North Carolina 28269
704-551-0700
www.HeritagePrintingCharlotte.com

22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
301-475-1700
www.HeritagePrinting.com

*Veteran Owned and Operated.
*Our house papers are recycled, FSC certified & Made in America.
*We have received over 100 print quality awards during the past 15 yrs.
*GreenWorks certified for environmental responsibility.


Joe Gass
Idea of the Week
Suggestions for Designing Breakthrough Brochures

  1. Use color to focus attention on your main selling features and to improve the perception of quality. Two colors are better than one, and full-color printing is better yet.
  2. Using a glossy paper will often make your brochure look more professional.
  3. Avoid the temptation to try to jam too much information into a small space. In good brochure design, less is more.
  4. Don’t overlook the value of white space to bring a clean look to your design and to help accentuate key selling points.
  5. For readability, consider using a serif type for body copy. Studies have shown that serif type is easier to read. Sans serif type is good for headlines and subheads.
Other Good Ideas:
  • If you will be mailing your brochure as a self-mailer, consider applying a coated finish (varnish) to the printing. The coating will help prevent scuffing — ink being rubbed off by the post office’s mail-sorting equipment.
  • For the best impression, consider mailing your brochure in a matching envelope.
  • For a unique sales and marketing twist, consider applying a small label somewhere on the brochure to draw attention to a special feature, special pricing, a sales rep’s name, or a toll-free number.


See more great ideas like this!
Click here to visit the Heritage Printing & Graphics Ideas Collection.

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Marketing Tip
Grab Attention with Folds


The layout presentation of your marketing materials is just as important as your images, verbiage, and color scheme. A unique layout that incorporates folds demands attention and entices the reader to open and read your marketing piece.
 
Many folded layouts enable you to present your information as a story - the beginning grabs attention (such as a headline or teaser), the middle tells the story, and the ending asks for a call to action (such as visiting your web site). Here are a few ways to tell your story with creative folds:  
  • Map your story by folding down a large sheet to a compact size. Every fold opens to reveal new information.

  • Roll fold your information to present your message in stages, a little at a time. As the reader unrolls the sheet, the next spread appears.  

  • Open the gate. Create a two-page “gate” that opens to a four-page spread. Not only does this approach allow ample space for attention grabbing introductions on the gate as well as in-depth information inside, it is an organized way to divide multiple products or services onto different panels.

  • Offer a sneak peak of the contents inside by shortening the width of your cover on a bi-fold brochure. For example, use an image on the inside that also sets the tone for the outside.

  • Create an accordion folded brochure and make each section a different width, and consider using the extra width as “tabs” for product names or services.
If you’d like other creative marketing ideas, give us a call today. We’ll help you think outside the box and develop eye-catching marketing materials that get read.

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Tech Tips
Increase Your Computer’s Security

Computers face security threats every time you go online. Besides using a firewall and anti-virus software, here are a few easy ways to help improve your computer’s security:
  • Upgrade to the latest version of your operating system and software to keep your computer secure. Also beware of spammers and download upgrades and patches from official sites only.

  • Check for the closed padlock or key symbol in the browser window when entering your credit card details and other personal information on a website.

  • If you use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (which is subjected to the largest number of security threats), consider switching internet browsers to a popular safer alternative such as Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla's Firefox, or Opera. Otherwise, tweak settings and make usage adjustments, such as increasing your web browser’s security level to “high.”

  • Disable file sharing on your hard drive, especially if you are on an open wifi network, such as libraries where you don’t know who could be browsing through your files.

  • Password protect your wireless network to avoid allowing strangers to use your connection.

  • Never sign into financial accounts (banking, Paypal, etc.) while connected to an unprotected wifi connections in locations such as airports or apartment complexes, which may be traps set by hackers to snag your personal information.

  • Use caution when downloading, since spammers often hide dangerous malware in programs that are offered free on the internet.

  • Do not open attachments unless you are expecting them or click on links in questionable e-mails. Many phishing scams try trick people into opening attachments or clicking links which can install a virus on your computer after you click it.

  • Set up e-mail filters that help reduce the levels of spam that reaches your inbox.

  • Use strong passwords that are at least seven characters long, mixing digits with lower and uppercase letters. Also change your passwords frequently and do not store them on your machine.

  • Password protect your computer login access to prevent unintended harm to your computer from inexperienced internet users, such as young children.
Drop us an e-mail if you’d like other ideas on how to safe-guard your computer or important documents. We’re the printer you can trust to make your life easier!

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Uncommon Product
Business Card Labels

It seems that everyone has a business card now days, but what if you don’t have many good opportunities to hand out your cards? Business card labels offer an alternative way to creatively distribute your contact information. When printed on a label, you can easily affix your business card and ensure it won’t get lost or misplaced on product samples, literature, packages, booklets, quotes, envelopes, etc.
 
If you’re interested in trying business card labels but aren’t sure quite sure how often you would use them, try ordering a small run of 50 to 100 sheets of self-adhesive backed stock using the same template as your conventional business cards. It will be fun to rate your feedback and won’t cost an arm and a leg to see if this creative idea is something you’ll stick with!

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